Q: imac won't play DVDs in Yosemite

Hello, I had this same problem for the last couple of weeks. I don't know if we have the same problem, but the first thing I did was log on under guest user, and the dvd actually played, so we realized my superdrive was/is fine.

We turned off the computer, took out the plug from the back of the computer waited 30 seconds, plugged it back in, and then waited 10 seconds. Hold down the command button as well as the letter r at the same time, then turn on the computer, still holding down the command and r button. When the screen prompts, you will click disk utility, then press the "repair utility", afterward turn back on your computer and it should work, it did for me.

I have had these problems after installing yosemite. I'll keep this up to date if something changes.

Jason

My 27 inch 2011 iMac just started ejecting DVDs after I upgraded.  You mentioned that you use an external drive to play DVDs.  How did you do that?  I bought an external Apple Superdrive and I can't get my iMac to recognize that it is there to do anything.

I don't use an external hard drive to play dvd's, maybe you're confusing me with another post. My superdrive is inside of my iMac if thats what you are referencing. Did you try the steps listed in my posting?

It might be a separate issue, try calling up apple care and they have to help you even if you are out of contract, just say that you have recently downloaded Yosemite and you are experiencing problems . If what I listed in my posting does not help you. Try that first tho. If you do call up, be patient and polite, which works for me 9 1/2  times out of ten.

Which superdrive did you buy. Was it this USB Superdrive?

If so you are knackered unless you want to play a little jiggery pokery and hack your system.

For reasons known only to them Apple have gimped the hardware and made sure it only works with certain Macs. get used to this kind of behaviour from them.

'It just works' only applies if you do things their way otherwise the phrase reads, 'It just irks'.

I tried Peppery's advice but no success.

My internal superdrive suddenly stopped reading DVDs while I was in the middle of restoring data files from a handful of DVDs (I back up my work to DVD - afraid I don't want it all out there on the cloud where it's hackable!). One moment everything was working as normal, the next it stopped recognising any DVD, just spitting it out after 15 seconds of mainly silence with a bit of whirring.

Anyone else got any bright ideas?

If it comes to it and I have to buy an external DVD drive, how can I be sure that will work with Yosemite?

Do you use Windows on your Mac, (Parallels, BootCamp etc etc...)?

No I don't. (Used to use Boot Camp on my previous Mac but found I never had a use for it)

Oh right. I was going to suggest that.

I have an original superdrive that hasn't worked in ages...... Unless I boot into Windows.

bobbylon wrote:

 

So where are the professional Apple Support techs on this issue?

Not here, this is a user to user support forum.

I've also noticed that my iMac is burning hot at the back...!?

Ooh, now that could be an issue. It could even be the actual superdrive if the heat is localised there. Are there any vents that may be blocked up at all? Is the CPU working overtime, (have a look at activity monitor)?

Quick look here too?;

Burning Hot

Turned it all off. Came back 5 hours later, tried again but exactly same result.

Checked CPU activity - stood at 90% idle.

Any other thoughts? I'm really reliant on being able to read/write DVDs for my work.....

Open activity monitor and look for processes using large amounts of cpu time, its on the cpu tab, sort by %cpu

Thanks so much! This advice was spot on and easy to implement; I have a Macbook Pro from 2011 and your suggested procedure fixed the problem immediately.

I do not see any "This helped me" clicked on here. My DVD video stopped yesterday when Yosemite updated my computer. I suppose I will slug this huge thing back to the store for another fix. I thought the largest capacity iMAC (my first mac computer) would ease the transition from the largest most expensive Windows. Capitalism loves me I guess. However, I am also not smart enough to fix computers, I just buy them to use them, and now not a MAC fan either. Should I figure out what works before I go and pay someone again, I will definitely post here.